Can Arsenal Recall Ethan Nwaneri? Why the Gunners Can’t Bring Him Back After Merino Injury

Arsenal will not be able to recall teenage midfielder Ethan Nwaneri from his loan spell at Marseille, despite suffering a major setback with Mikel Merino sidelined by a serious foot injury.

The Gunners briefly explored the idea of bringing Nwaneri back to north London after Merino was ruled out and set to undergo surgery. However, reports from football.london confirm that there is no recall clause in the 18-year-old’s loan agreement.

Why Nwaneri Can’t Return

Nwaneri only joined Marseille on loan in January, but the deal was structured to run until the end of the 2025–26 season, with no break option available to Arsenal. He will be officially presented as a Marseille player on February 2, when the winter transfer window closes.

Life at Marseille

The Arsenal academy graduate has already made an early impression in France:

• Scored 13 minutes into his debut against Lens

• Featured in a 3-1 win and a 2-2 draw against Paris FC

• Has earned the trust of manager Roberto De Zerbi

Despite Marseille narrowly missing out on Champions League knockout qualification, De Zerbi has confirmed he will remain at the club—news that suits Nwaneri, who pushed for the move specifically to work under the Italian coach.

Why Arsenal Let Him Go

Arsenal accepted the loan move due to fierce competition in midfield and a desire to protect Nwaneri’s development.

Mikel Arteta explained that the club prioritised regular minutes for the youngster, citing De Zerbi’s reputation for developing young players and Marseille’s previous success with Arsenal loanee William Saliba.

Arsenal’s Risk

Former Arsenal forward Jeremie Aliadiere has warned that the club could regret the decision if the season ends narrowly, especially with injuries mounting and squad depth being tested.